- Thread Author
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Choosing the right needle size is NOT “optional.” It’s the difference between smooth pins and turning your leg into a pincushion.
Wrong needle, wrong depth, and suddenly you’re leaking oil, bruised, or sitting on an abscess.
Gauge vs Length: What It Actually Means??
• Gauge (G) = thickness of the needle. Higher number = thinner needle. A 25G is thinner than a 21G (PERIOD!!)
• Length (inches) = how deep it goes. Shorter for subq or delts, longer for glutes or deep IM. (easy… right?)
Simply think of it like tools: you don’t use a hammer when you need a screwdriver.
Same thing here!!!
So, let’s get down to business!
Subq (Subcutaneous)
You’re just going under the skin, into the fat (yes… FAT ONLY!) that is Perfect for peptides, HGH and or small oil shots.
• Insulin pins: 29–31G, ½ inch.
• Use around abs, love handles, thigh fat, triceps fat.
• Pin slow, rotate often.
IM (Intramuscular) This is where MOST PED use sits on.
You need enough length to hit the MUSCLE, but not so thick you feel like you’re jamming a nail in there.
1st spot: Glutes / Ventroglute
• 22–25G, 1.5 inch if you’re a big dude
• If lean, you can get away with 1 inch. Shark does not advice going less than that.
2nd spot: Delts
• 25G, 1 inch
• Easy, but don’t dump huge volumes here (even if you are a big dude, it will affect your training ability, so stay cool!)
3rd Spot: Quads
• 23–25G, 1 inch
• Go middle of the outer thigh, not too high, not too low
Shark’s note: I hate it hahaha
4th Spot: Lats
• 23–25G, 1 inch
• Go middle of the outer using your preferred angle. I have used straight and tangled. Does not mean any difference to me. (And love it!
)
IV (Intravenous)
Rare, advanced, and not for rookies. If you’re here, you know the risks.
• 25–27G, ½ to 1 inch
• Thin needle = less vein damage
• Always sterile, always single-use
NOT TO PLAY AROUND!
Draw vs Inject
Pro move: draw thick oil with a bigger needle, inject with a thinner one.
• Draw: 18–20G, saves time
• Inject: 23–25G, smoother and less trauma
Don’t be lazy!!!
swap the needle after drawing. That dull tip will chew up your muscle.
Volume Matters Too!!!
• Up to 1 ml: delts, subq, even triceps fat pad
• 1–2 ml: quads, ventroglutes
• 2–3 ml: glutes only, big muscle, big volume
If you’re trying to jam 3 ml into a delt with a tiny insulin pin, you deserve the lump you’re about to get hahaha
Shark’s Final Words!
The right needle size = smoother pins, less PIP, less scar tissue, less drama.
Subq = short and skinny
IM = match depth to the muscle
IV = thin, precise, sterile
Draw big, inject small. Rotate sites. Don’t cut corners… easy right?
Pin smart, grow hard, stay healthy!!
For Hygiene tips:
For PIP management:
For any other advise or to get an opinion from Driada’s Shark: Hit a COMMENT!!!
Keep rocking with the lab!!
Wrong needle, wrong depth, and suddenly you’re leaking oil, bruised, or sitting on an abscess.
Gauge vs Length: What It Actually Means??
• Gauge (G) = thickness of the needle. Higher number = thinner needle. A 25G is thinner than a 21G (PERIOD!!)
• Length (inches) = how deep it goes. Shorter for subq or delts, longer for glutes or deep IM. (easy… right?)
Simply think of it like tools: you don’t use a hammer when you need a screwdriver.
Same thing here!!!
So, let’s get down to business!
Subq (Subcutaneous)
You’re just going under the skin, into the fat (yes… FAT ONLY!) that is Perfect for peptides, HGH and or small oil shots.
• Insulin pins: 29–31G, ½ inch.
• Use around abs, love handles, thigh fat, triceps fat.
• Pin slow, rotate often.
IM (Intramuscular) This is where MOST PED use sits on.
You need enough length to hit the MUSCLE, but not so thick you feel like you’re jamming a nail in there.
1st spot: Glutes / Ventroglute
• 22–25G, 1.5 inch if you’re a big dude
• If lean, you can get away with 1 inch. Shark does not advice going less than that.
2nd spot: Delts
• 25G, 1 inch
• Easy, but don’t dump huge volumes here (even if you are a big dude, it will affect your training ability, so stay cool!)
3rd Spot: Quads
• 23–25G, 1 inch
• Go middle of the outer thigh, not too high, not too low
Shark’s note: I hate it hahaha
4th Spot: Lats
• 23–25G, 1 inch
• Go middle of the outer using your preferred angle. I have used straight and tangled. Does not mean any difference to me. (And love it!
)IV (Intravenous)
Rare, advanced, and not for rookies. If you’re here, you know the risks.
• 25–27G, ½ to 1 inch
• Thin needle = less vein damage
• Always sterile, always single-use
NOT TO PLAY AROUND!
Draw vs Inject
Pro move: draw thick oil with a bigger needle, inject with a thinner one.
• Draw: 18–20G, saves time
• Inject: 23–25G, smoother and less trauma
Don’t be lazy!!!
swap the needle after drawing. That dull tip will chew up your muscle.
Volume Matters Too!!!
• Up to 1 ml: delts, subq, even triceps fat pad
• 1–2 ml: quads, ventroglutes
• 2–3 ml: glutes only, big muscle, big volume
If you’re trying to jam 3 ml into a delt with a tiny insulin pin, you deserve the lump you’re about to get hahaha
Shark’s Final Words!
The right needle size = smoother pins, less PIP, less scar tissue, less drama.
Subq = short and skinny
IM = match depth to the muscle
IV = thin, precise, sterile
Draw big, inject small. Rotate sites. Don’t cut corners… easy right?
Pin smart, grow hard, stay healthy!!
For Hygiene tips:
For PIP management:
For any other advise or to get an opinion from Driada’s Shark: Hit a COMMENT!!!
Keep rocking with the lab!!
